Barker, Stewart named in starting XV to face Western Australia in third round

After two straight wins on the bounce, NSW Waratahs head coach Matt Evrard has made just two changes ahead of Sunday’s west-coast Super W showdown against the Rugby WA Women.

Noella Green has been promoted to the starting lineup for the first time in 2019 at the expense of Ana-Lise Sio, while Jemima Henry enters the top 23 while Fi Jones exits.

The small bundle of changes means Newcastle’s Katrina ‘Cheech’ Barker and Maya Stewart will once again run out for the ‘Tahs at Curtin University on Sunday evening.

Barker, who was praised for her massive defensive output in NSW’s second round win over Queensland earlier this month, will start in the no.12 jumper in the centres, while livewire winger Stewart returns to the no.14 jersey.

Despite a positive 2-0 record, propped up by 41 points scored against just 12 conceded, coach Evrard said ahead of the Sunday clash the team still has a lot of areas they want to improve on as the season begins to come to a head.

“There is a lot to work on we know that as a group,” said Evrard. “It’s a been a hard stop/start to the season so far and we still haven’t felt like we’ve got going yet at all.

“Those weeks off, especially going into a huge game last weekend, with no real flow, it was good for us to get that result. We are keen in the next two weeks to get those combinations together against some good teams which is a good opportunity leading into the finals.”

Barker, Stewart and the Waratahs will begin their match against WA at 6.30pm this Sunday. The match will be aired live on Fox Sports and online streaming service Kayo Sports.